Pimento cheese pinwheels are an easy party appetizer consisting of homemade pimento cheese spread rolled up in a flour tortilla. Served chilled, these savory bite size appetizers are always a crowd pleaser.
Pimento Cheese is a popular appetizer spread made with shredded cheddar cheese, pimento and a combination of mayo and cream cheese.
At a recent neighborhood block party, I made these pimento cheese pinwheels and there wasn't a single one left. Both adults and kids enjoyed this easy, finger food appetizer.
For this recipe, I add a little extra creaminess to my jalapeno pimento cheese recipe and spread it on a regular size flour tortilla. Adding the extra ounce of cream cheese helps the pimento cheese spread a little bit easier.
Ingredients
- Pimento Cheese - Included in the recipe card is my variation of homemade pimento cheese.
- If you don't want to use fresh minced jalapeño, you can substitute 1 Tbsp. of minced onion.
- Be sure to shred your own cheddar cheese for the recipe so it blends together.
- Tortilla - Standard size tortilla. For a healthier option, I like to use the Ole Xtreme Wellness High Fiber Tortilla. I prefer the standard size, but you can use burrito size too.
How to Make
Step 1: Prepare pimento cheese spread. Spread evenly on tortilla, leaving a small margin of about ¼" on the edges.
Step 2: Roll up tightly, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 4 hours.
Step 3: Remove unsliced logs from fridge, trim off ends, cut using a serrated knife into even sized pieces. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
To make ahead of time
- Pimento cheese can be prepared two days in advance. I personally think the flavor gets better as it sits.
- For a quick swap, you can even use a store-bought cheese product and simply spread it on a tortilla.
Serving and Storage
Serve pinwheels chilled on a platter. Garnish with diced green onions, if desired. For food safety purposes, discard pinwheels after 4 hours sitting out at room temperature.
Store extra pimento cheese pinwheels in the fridge. They will last for about two days and then I find that the tortilla starts to get too soft.
📖 Recipe
Pimento Cheese Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 5 oz. cream cheese softened
- ⅓ c. mayonnaise
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
- ¼ tsp. onion powder
- ⅛ tsp. cayenne pepper
- 3 c. shredded cheddar cheese ~ 8 oz. block
- 4 oz. jar pimentos drained
- 3 Tbsp. minced jalapenos
- 4 regular size flour tortillas or whole wheat wraps
Instructions
- In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne pepper until mixed.
- Add shredded cheese to cream cheese mixture and mix for a few seconds until incorporated. Fold in pimentos and diced jalapenos.
- Spread pimento cheese mixture onto tortillas, leaving a small ¼" margin. Roll up tightly into a log. Wrap in saran wrap and place in fridge for 4 hours to chill.
- Remove unsliced logs from fridge. Using a serrated knife, trim off the ends of the logs and then cut into even slices.
Notes
Nutrition
Pimento cheese pinwheels make a perfect bite size savory appetizer for your next gathering!
FAQ
Is pimento cheese low carb?
Yes, pimento cheese is low carbohydrate. It consists primarily of fats and some protein from the cheese. One 2 Tbsp. serving of the above pimento cheese spread, contains less than 1 gram of carbohydrates.
Using a whole-wheat wrap such as Ole Xtreme Wellness High Fiber Tortilla makes these pimento cheese pinwheels a low carbohydrate appetizer containing less than 5 grams per serving.
Happy Spring!
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